Solianka or Russian Beef Soup

The recipe for this rich and tangy Russian soup calls for wild mushrooms and three types of meat cooked in a highly seasoned beef stock with kalamata olives, marinated mushrooms, capers, and dill pickles.

INGREDIENTS (for 6 servings):

2 ounces dried mushrooms

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 onions, chopped

1 cup cooked diced veal

1 cup diced ham

1/4 pound kielbasa sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 quarts beef stock

3 bay leaves

10 black peppercorns

2 dill pickles, diced

2 tablespoons capers

12 marinated mushrooms

1 (28 ounce) can Italian-style whole peeled tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

12 kalamata olives

1/3 cup chopped fresh dill weed

1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup dill pickle juice

1 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika

salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Soak mushrooms in 3/4 cup water until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside.

Melt half the butter and saute the onions, meats, and rehydrated mushrooms. Add the stock and liquid from the mushrooms and bring to a boil. Make a bouquet garni by tying the bay leaves and peppercorns tightly in cheesecloth. Lower the heat and add the bouquet garni, pickles, capers, and marinated mushrooms. Simmer 10-15 minutes.

Melt remaining butter in a skillet and cook the tomatoes and tomato paste for a few minutes, then add the flour and saute for another few minutes. Add a cup of the soup to the skillet and stir in well, then return pan ingredients to the soup pot.